༒ FAQs//things to know before booking ༒
Please reference this page before placing your booking fee, and if you have any questions leading up to your appointment. We’ve taken the time to write out excessive details about how we work and what to expect from our session in order to keep from going back and forth via email. If can’t find an answer to your question here feel free to reach out via email or DM us @cybersigilism.
Attention to detail and respect for our policies and boundaries is essential for both parties when working together; these kinds of tattoo projects require an immense amount of trust on both ends and we want to be able to give you the best experience possible.
Commissioned artwork and graphic design is not something we offer to anyone who has not been tattooed by us. We will never be comfortable with selling tattoo designs for you to bring to someone else; nor are we okay with people screenshotting our tattoos or other projects and having them traced and then tattooed by someone else, as each design is custom tailored to the wearer to be one of one and could have spiritual significance that a stranger online is unaware of. We understand the dedication and patience that it takes to travel to collect new tattoos, and we’re so grateful for everyone who makes the trip to come see us.
our tattoo process:
Consent is key. Our main goal is to make you feel as comfortable as possible throughout the entire process. Let us know what we can do to make you feel good & we will do everything we can to have you taken care of. We often tattoo more intimate areas of the body, so please come dressed appropriately. Don’t ever hesitate to speak up on anything you need so that your boundaries are respected and you leave not only feeling excited about your new tattoo but also happy and respected. Tattooers abusing their power is way too common and something we’ve experienced personally and professionally many times; we aim to do everything we can to make sure our clients never feel the way we have felt. We’ve gone through extensive blood borne pathogen control and safety courses and consent based trauma-informed training; not only do we want to provide a safe and comfortable environment but we also aim to raise the standards for how you get tattooed and encourage the promotion of healthy boundaries throughout the process that can be applied in all aspects of our lives.
Pricing always varies- we offer hourly rates as well as full day/half day/multi day discounted flat rates. Details on our booking fees and rescheduling policies are available through the provided scheduling link you receive once your concept is accepted. Keep in mind that booking fees are nonrefundable and cannot be transferred to a different city. Rescheduling may not always be guaranteed, and must be done no later than one week before your appointment or else an additional fee will be added to the final price. We are happy to send over information on discounted multi-day session flat rates if that’s what you choose to do, but this is only suggested for those who have sat through larger sessions before. Exclusive offers are also available for our dedicated and trusted collectors; after you’ve had a few sessions with us you can access select merchandising and specific types of commissions/trade work that isn’t available to the public.
In order to help your body handle your tattoo session and to prevent any last minute reschedules, we suggest being extra mindful when it comes to preparing for your appointment. This includes (but is not limited to):
༒ Making sure to purchase flights as soon as your appointment is booked if traveling to avoid excessive costs
༒ Staying masked when you're in a crowded or public place that you cant really avoid such as work or the grocery store
༒ Taking immune supplements such as emergen-c & other vitamins for a week leading up to the tattoo (and during the heal)
༒ Avoiding the use of alcohol or other recreational substances (especially 3-5 days before)
༒ Keeping your body properly hydrated, eating a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, and minimizing stress
Here are some suggested items to bring/wear based on the placement of that tattoo you plan on getting to allow us both to feel comfortable & easily access the area:
༒ Torso or back piece- zip up hoodie / robe (thongs are also suggested if the piece is going on your lower torso/back)
༒ Chest piece- loose shirt that can be tied (we often suggest bringing pasties or a bikini top if we are tattooing around/near the breasts)
༒ Sleeve- tank top/tube top that allows access to your entire arm including the shoulder
༒ Leg sleeve- shorts with a 3-5” inseam (can be longer if not working too high up on the thigh)
YOU NEVER HAVE TO BE COMPLETELY NAKED WHEN GETTING TATTOOED. A good tattooer knows how to work around thongs and string bikinis when needed. Don’t let these creeps make you feel like you need to have all of your clothes off for an instagram picture.
Please be sure to wear comfortable clothes. There’s a possibility that ink could get on them at any point so do not wear anything that you would not want ruined. We keep certain clothing pieces from our brand available for you to have if needed, and can create barriers to keep you covered with medical supplies we have on hand. You never need to feel extremely exposed when getting tattooed, and we will always ask for consent before moving your clothes around while drawing or tattooing. If there is an area of the body close to where we are tattooing that you prefer to keep clothed that will never be an issue. We suggest bringing extra clothes to change into after your session if needed, sometimes the body responds to getting tattooed by excessively sweating so it helps to have additional items on hand. You’re also welcome to bring a favorite pillow, blanket, stuffed animal, or anything that would help to make you comfortable or offer emotional support.
You may bring one guest with you to your session, we just ask that you both provide proof of a negative covid test done within 24-48 hours of our appointment. After you both take your covid test please refrain from going to any crowded spaces. Getting sick can ruin your new tattoo.
We will never send over pictures of your tattoo design before the session for multiple reasons. Mainly because we get the best results finalizing your piece in person with you at the start of our session. This allows us to really understand what you’re into and get your feedback so we can make sure you’re happy with everything versus drawing something beforehand and then changing up everything once you arrive. Please do not show up to your appointment looking to get an entirely different tattoo concept than the one you sent in your request form- this could result in forfeiture of your booking fee. We are happy to accommodate slight changes, but we don’t want to change up the idea/location entirely as this may require a different approach. If you send over multiple concepts and your form gets accepted, we can talk in person about which idea we’re both the most interested in. After your design has been drawn on, we encourage you to take as much time as needed to look at it and sit with it to make sure you love the direction we’ve decided to go in.
Taking creative control is something we love doing, however we do need some sort of input from you. If you want to leave it all up to us we ask that you at least give us a preferred area of the body as well as some reference imagery from our portfolio so we can understand what elements of our art you resonate with the most. This is essential as it helps us get to know what you like so we can then cater to that. It is important for us to talk as we lay out the design together so you know exactly what is going on with the tattoo/process & we can feel comfortable knowing we’re giving you something you want; aside from that you don’t have to feel pressured with any small talk. We also understand if you don’t want to talk too much while getting tattooed (some areas also make it difficult to converse while tattooing so please don’t take it personally if we ask to keep conversation to a minimum while working on those parts of the body). You are welcome to bring headphones or anything that will make you feel better throughout the process and we will never take it personally if you have to block out your surroundings to get into the right headspace during the tattoo. When sending images before your session, please refrain from including any sort of reference imagery from any other tattoo artists- we never want to tattoo ideas that are not completely our own. However, we are happy to reference certain elements of nature and art history to blend in with our style, as well as certain art styles like 3D sculpted imagery, prosthetics and special effects, and character designs from video games/movies.
Your tattoo doesn’t have to take on any meaning that you don’t want it to. We believe everyone can find their own significance behind their piece whether it has specific intentions or it is just something you think looks pretty and makes you feel good. This is a big reason why we don’t share explicit details on what our sigil tattoos mean when they are posted on the internet. At the end of the dayour tattoo experience represents beauty through transformative pain and adorning your body with art you enjoy, everything else is up to you.
Each tattoo we bring to life is seen as ritualistic and transformative just by itself. With that being said, we are never opposed to adding in more ritual services to enhance the power of the session. You are welcome to bring your own tools (that you have used before) to help you pick out certain intentions and customize your experience. We are also able to select other tools that we have experience working with to supply you with during and after our time together. The only difference in cost is to cover any extra supplies we would need at the studio. Feel free to reach out to us for more information about how we can enhance our ritual if that is something you are drawn to. We never want to cross any boundaries mentally or spiritually with these rituals, which is why we only agree to working with things we have knowledge on and experience with. If you are not into ritualistic work- please don’t feel pressured. Consent remains our number one priority & we never want to force anything on you. We are respectful of all beliefs so long as you are respectful of ours.
Colored tattoos are something we are open to doing, however, we only work in a specific range of colors and will always be honest about the fact that certain color tattoos may not have the lifespan that a blackwork piece will. All tattoos age, but a lot of colors can fade much quicker and require a bit more care We want you to be educated on what your piece may look like in 10+ years so you know what you’re signing up for. The same goes with extremely fine line tattoos. We will never agree to doing anything with a single needle as those types of tattoos also have a shorter lifespan than darker pieces and we are simply not a fan of the aesthetic. Our shading styles can be fineline and dainty while still holding up overtime. Ink will always settle different than how it looks as soon as the tattoo is finished, especially with age and sun exposure; we suggest taking the time to look into how certain styles of tattoos age to understand what your piece will potentially look like. We want to give you something you enjoy for the rest of your life. If at any point you decide you would like your tattoo reworked/covered up, we would be happy to blast over it in the future.
As we tattoo, it helps us to take breaks around each hour to help our focus as well as properly stretch. Some people prefer to get tattooed as long as possible without any breaks, however that is not something we are comfortable doing as we don’t want our ADHD getting in the way of producing our best work. Snack breaks are always encouraged during long sessions so feel free to bring any kind of comfort food, drinks, and sweets to help keep your blood sugar up and to give yourself a little reward as you make it through the tattoo. The studio is stocked with snacks but it never hurts to bring your favorites, especially if you have dietary restrictions. You’re also more than welcome to order food at any point if you need something more substantial.
Lidocaine based numbing cream is something we try to avoid due to the effects it can have on the heart as well as the healing of the tattoos. We occasionally allow you to bring in a very specific brand after the initial line work has been completed, and we have both agreed upon it and gone over the risks. This is only done for multi-session large scale projects on certain areas of the body. If agreed upon, you will be sent the link to purchase our preferred cream. Bactine may be offered after all of the outline has been tattooed and has a small percentage of lidocaine to slightly numb the area to make the rest of the session a bit easer. Be sure to let us know beforehand if you’ve had any allergic reactions to any type of numbing agent or lidocaine based products so we know not to use them.
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Photos/videos:
As we photograph the tattoo, we want to make sure you’re comfortable in front of the cameras we use. We spend 15-30+ minutes photographing the tattoo at the end of our session, and often take progress pictures and videos throughout the entire process. We have a lot of experience both in front of and behind the camera and may suggest some specific poses/motions that show off the tattoo.
The goal of the photo session is to show off the tattoo, we never want you feeling sexualized or uncomfortable during this process. Please understand that your feelings are still our priority, consent is everything & we will never take any photos that you aren’t okay with. You always have the opportunity to look through everything. We are always down to let you go through the photos after we take them, that way you can send yourself anything you like, delete what you don’t, and let us know what you’re comfortable with us posting.
We enjoy being creative with our camera equipment & documenting our work in unique ways, that also includes drawing on additional censors or edits that may enhance the tattoo as well as prevent us from potentially losing our instagram. However, we always avoid editing things that have nothing to do with the tattoo like your actual skin tone/texture, as well as actual body shape.
You’re more than welcome to take as many pictures and videos as you’d like during our session. Don’t forget to send over anything you take and tag us in whatever you upload whether its from our time together or once your tattoo is healed and you feel like showing it off. Healed pictures are always encouraged and we love seeing our tattoos out in the wild.
It’s important for us to let you know that even though we take a ton of pictures of your tattoo, sometimes it can get overwhelming to have so much content. Even when we are consistent on social media, we are always backlogged with tattoo imagery that we haven’t posted yet. We’ve also had issues with being wrongly reported on instagram, which can make it harder for us to post certain pieces. Please don’t ever take this personally, it does not mean that we don’t love the tattoo we did on you.
If you would like us not to post the tattoo, just let us know ahead of time.
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Health/healing:
Preparing your body for a tattoo session is a major key in properly healing a tattoo. Make sure to shower the day of, as well as shave the area beforehand with your own personal razor if possible (this keeps us from using a plastic single use razor). Drink enough water the days leading up to your tattoo, and make sure you’ve had a good meal before coming in. Please be aware that a fresh tattoo is an open wound, proper healing is your responsibility.
Safety remains our biggest priority. Regular doctors checkups and bloodwork (complete lab work not just STI testing) is highly encouraged to make sure your body is in a healthy state to get tattooed. One experience we had with one of our own tattoos getting infected was when we neglected to get proper healthcare & didn’t realize there was a pre existing infection that spread to the new tattoo. It was terribly painful & we don’t want any of our clients to go through something similar. The American healthcare system sucks but it’s much easier to get a check up before your session than to have to deal with going to a doctor or hospital to deal with an infected tattoo. It’s also important to make sure not to book your appointment around the time of any medical procedures, invasive or not. Even just having your blood drawn a few days before your appointment could lead to you feeling light headed or potentially fainting. We recommend waiting at least a week after any medical experiences, and if you’re unsure of anything just ask your doctor what they would recommend. Certain medications such as blood thinners, antibiotics, and others can have a negative effect on the outcome of your tattoo. Please make sure to ask your doctor for any advice on getting tattooed if you have any medical conditions or are taking any medication that you could have an impact on your session.. This keeps us from having to ask for any personal medical information; if you do feel the need to disclose something to us that you think might affect your tattoo, please trust that it will always remain confidential. We also want to address the importance of safe sex leading up to a tattoo session. We will always promote regular testing for any STIs especially after getting involved with new partners. As former sex workers trained in blood borne pathogen control we encourage de-stigmatization & education; we don’t see this brought up publicly in conversations about tattoo safety & feel it needs to be talked about more. We take a lot of pride in how sanitary our practices and workspaces are, but we still want to make sure you are not dealing with any kind of infection or medical condition that can impact the outcome of your new tattoo. If your immune system is fighting off something that isn’t being properly treated, it will severely affect the healing process of your tattoo as well as the state of your body.
Out of respect for everyone’s personal bodily autonomy, we do not require proof of COVID vaccination in order to get tattooed. It is extremely encouraged however, and we want everyone to make sure that you plan any kind of vaccination accordingly with your scheduled tattoo session. To keep them from affecting each other, you should wait at least one month in between a tattoo appointment and getting vaccinated. We ask for a proof of a negative covid test taken 24-48 hours before your tattoo session, as we have seen tattoos completely ruined by having COVID during the healing process.
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In order to ensure a proper heal, detailed instructions are included below. We will also go over the preferred method with you in person at the end of our session to make sure you’re comfortable with the process and don’t have any questions. We can tell when a tattoo is neglected during a heal; there are some things that can be out of your control but it is necessary that you refrain from certain behavior such as picking scabs and failing to follow directions. If you’re prone to picking or if the area is difficult to wash constantly, we will provide the proper tools to make the process easy on you. We do offer touch up sessions at the cost of supplies but prefer to wait 3-6 months after our initial session to ensure proper settling of the ink. Make sure to plan ahead and take the day after your tattoo session off to rest your body, larger pieces require at least three days off. Do not skip this step as your immune system will be weakened after any tattoo session and pushing your body to work or deal with any high intensity/stressful situations or environments could result in you catching something that keeps you from properly healing that tattoo.
For linework/lightly shading pieces we suggest healing with a Saniderm/second skin type bandage. Please let us know if you have ever had any negative reactions to an adhesive or this kind of bandage so we can go with a different healing method. We will put on a layer of Saniderm after taking photos of the fresh tattoo, then will send you home with an extra layer after guiding you on how to apply it yourself. Please replace the first piece no later than 72 hours after the session, or sooner if the tattoo starts to leak through the bandage. For hard to reach areas like the back make sure to have a trusted friend available to help remove and reapply properly. It is easiest to remove in the shower under running water. Make sure to clean your hands with antibacterial soap, and then clean the tattoo once the bandage is off. Allow the tattoo to air dry (no towels/paper towels) for 10-15 minutes without coming into contact with any clothes/fabric/furniture, and then apply the second bandage. The second bandage can then stay on up to a week; once removed it should be properly cleaned to remove any adhesive, then lightly moisturized at least once a day to allow the piece to stay hydrated and age nicely. Second-skin type bandages can also slightly irritate the skin around the area that wasn't tattooed- if this happens feel free to peel the bandage close to the tattoo & cut off the excess parts to avoid further irritation, or just take it off completely. If you remove the bandage within the first 3-5 days of the healing process, you’ll want to move forward by cleaning/moisturizing your tattoo a few times daily until the scabbing phase is complete.
For those of you who get tattooed often, we always suggest keeping a large roll of your favorite brand of second skin that way if you need any extra coverage (whether it be on your Cybersigilism tattoo or a tattoo you get from someone else) you have some at home for you to use. Tegaderm can now be purchased at most pharmacies but you’ll get a much better price buying a large roll online via Amazon or the preferred brand’s website. It’s also important to patch test saniderm if you have never used it before, as some people have issues with adhesives. It’s best to know beforehand so that you don’t risk disrupting the healing process or dealing with more serious skin irritation.
For heavy blackwork shading pieces the healing will be more intense. It is necessary that you take at least three to five days off directly following the tattoo appointment to protect your new tattoo, and avoid any clothing that may potentially stick to your new tattoo. During the first three nights, you will use a ‘puppy training pad’ and some sensi wrap to wrap up your tattoo while you sleep. This is the only time you’ll want to keep your tattoo wrapped up, as you’ll want to make sure it air dries whenever you’re not sleeping. Using antibacterial soap and freshly washed hands, make sure to clean your tattoo 3-5 times daily within the first week. Let your tattoo air dry for 10-15 minutes, and then lightly moisturize your tattoo (we suggest cocoa butter but if you have a preferred tattoo healing balm or unscented lotion that has worked for you before you may use that). Please make sure to pay attention to how much moisturizer you use, if your skin is not soaking it up it can create a wet layer that allows bacteria to breed and get into your tattoo. While airing your tattoo out during the first three days, we suggest keeping one of the puppy training pads nearby if you are resting and your tattoo could potentially come in contact with any sheets, furniture, etc. There is no need to wrap it here but you can place it under your tattoo to keep any bacteria from getting into your open wound. Days four to six are usually when the tattoo is in shed; expect large, light flakes instead of actual scabbing and make sure to continue moisturizing and avoid picking at the flakes. If you do see heavy scabbing during this time, it is a sign that your tattoo has potentially held too much moisture and is not healing properly- so make sure to avoid lotions after cleaning at the sight of heavy scabs. Don’t forget to let us know your travel schedule if you’re coming from out of state for your session so we can make sure to provide you with the necessary supplies to help clean your piece and keep it protected in the airport.
Some things you should always keep in mind while healing a tattoo:
Mild bruising may occur on more sensitive areas.
If you’re sore the first day or two you may take your preferred over the counter pain killer to help with the pain. CBD and other natural remedies can also be a big help.
Continue taking immunity supplements for the first week after your tattoo (we suggest taking it the week leading up to your tattoo as well).
Treat your body as if it’s sick- try to take time off, rest up, stay hydrated, remove any unnecessary stress, & focus on letting your body heal itself.
You may have a slight fever the first day or two due to your immune system working on the heal, if so keep an eye on your temperature & it should go away by day 3-4.
Make sure to always wear clean clothes & sleep on fresh clean sheets.
Keep all pets and pet hair away from the open wound.
Wash your hands frequently and avoid touching your tattoo.
After the initial week and the flaking/scabbing has moved on to the shiny phase, we suggest continuing to moisturize your tattoo once a day with cocoa butter or your preferred lotion for the rest of your life for healthy hydrated skin and art. Make sure to wear sunscreen with a high SPF and iron oxide if the tattoo will be in the sun after the initial healing period.
Typical signs of infection include green pus and excessive redness after the first week of healing. If at any point you are feeling extremely sick or concerned please go to a trusted doctor or urgent care.
What NOT to do while healing your tattoo:
NEVER submerge your tattoo underwater. A light shower is fine but do not bathe or swim until 4-6 weeks after the tattoo session.
DO NOT over-moisturize your tattoo. This can cause little bumps of excess oil to appear, as well as harboring bacteria which could lead to an infection. Use just enough moisturizer to hydrate the tattoo and then refrain from putting any clothing on the area until it is dry. If your tattoo is displaying any signs of ‘wet scabs’ that is a sign to stop moisturizing it for a day or so.
DO NOT go to crowded places with your tattoo open and exposed. We understand most of our clients travel to us, we will set you up with what is needed to be safe in the airport. Other than that make sure to stay as isolated as possible for the first 3-5 days
NO working out for the first week (7 days) after our session. Even if you're wearing Saniderm, the excess sweat can build up and cause an infection. Light walking/stretching is okay, but stay away from any activities that will make you break a sweat.
DO NOT expose your fresh tattoo to the sun. We suggest waiting 4-6 weeks before having it uncovered in the sun and even then, always use an iron oxide sunscreen with a high SPF and apply it to you tattoo every hour.
NEVER use a washcloth or towel to wash/dry your tattoo. Clean fresh paper towels only.
DO NOT wear tight clothing over the tattoo during the first 5 days (we suggest trying to keep any kind of clothing off of the tattoo as much as you can during the first 3-5 days).
DO NOT consume alcohol/recreational substances within the first week of getting a large tattoo. Medical cannabis is accepted if you have experience, and even then we only suggest consuming it orally or via a transdermal patch versus smoking.
You will always know more about how your body responds to the healing process than we will, which is why it’s extremely important to let us know of any previous difficulties you’ve had with healing a tattoo, as well as any bad reactions you have experienced. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us if the healing is looking weird, or if you need anything at all during the healing process.
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thanks for reading, it means a lot for our collectors to take their session very seriously <3